Differential Effects of Brain Disorders on Structural and Functional Connectivity

Different measures of brain connectivity can be defined based on neuroimaging read-outs, including structural and functional connectivity. Neurological and psychiatric conditions are often associated with abnormal connectivity, but comparing the effects of the disease on different types of connectivity remains a challenge. In this paper, we address the problem of quantifying the relative effects of brain disease on structural and functional connectivity at a group level. Within the framework of a graph representation of connectivity, we introduce a kernel two-sample test as an effective method to assess the difference between the patients and control group. Moreover, we propose a common representation space for structural and functional connectivity networks, and a novel test statistics to quantitatively assess differential effects of the disease on different types of connectivity. We apply this approach to a dataset from BTBR mice, a murine model of Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum (ACC), a congenital disorder characterized by the absence of the main bundle of fibers connecting the two hemispheres. We used normo-callosal mice (B6) as a comparator. The application of the proposed methods to this data-set shows that the two types of connectivity can be successfully used to discriminate between BTBR and B6, meaning that both types of connectivity are affected by ACC. However, our novel test statistics shows that structural connectivity is significantly more affected than functional connectivity, consistent with the idea that functional connectivity has a robust topology that can tolerate substantial alterations in its structural connectivity substrate

Impiego degli Inibitori della Pompa protonica (IPP) in Piemonte: indagine sulle abitudini prescrittive dei Medici di Medicina Generale

Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) (Omeprazole, Lansoprazole, Pantoprazole, Rabeprazole and Esomeprazole), one of the most commonly prescribed classes of medications in the primary care setting, are considered a major advance in the treatment of acid-peptic diseases. In Italy PPIs are reimbursed by National Health Service on the basis of CUF (Commissione Unica del Farmaco) 1 and 48 Notes. In 2002 and 2003 a significant increase in PPIs consumption and expenditure have been documented, showing differences between regions. The aim of this study is to investigate and monitor, at regional level, type and entity of PPIs use through a drug utilization study, evaluating prescribing behaviour and compliance of PPIs treatments with CUF Notes indications. The study has been carried out on a sample of 436 General Practitioners belonging to 22 Piemonte's ASL (Aziende Sanitarie Locali). The data analysis shows that acid-related pathologies are significantly more common in patients with at least 50 years of age and the most frequent condition is represented by gastroesophageal reflux disease. Despite the general conditions of PPIs use by General Practitioners in terms of duration and dosage of therapy result in most cases (from 49% to 80% for duration and from 54% to 97% for dosage) compliant with what proposed by CUF Notes, in some cases the same CUF Notes indications seem to be not observed. Consequently the Piemonte Region has decided to plan a guideline on PPIs rational use. Such guideline, expected to be introduced in the regional area, may also be considered as an instrument able to lead to a more appropriate expenditure for this drug class. Moreover, in order to control PPIs expenditure, pharmacoeconomic methodologies can be applied allowing to identify the most cost - effective active substance and therapeutic scheme, overcoming CUF Notes which consider all PPIs use under the same reimbursement conditions

IL RUOLO STRATEGICO DEL SISTEMA METALMECCANICO ITALIANO. DAI METALLI ALLA MECCATRONICA

Il ruolo strategico del sistema metalmeccanico italiano, sotto una prospettiva ampia che va dai metalli alla meccatronica, \ue8 un aspetto fondamentale nella qualificazione produttiva dell\u2019industria italiana. La Fondazione Edison e l\u2019Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei hanno promosso un Convegno (a Roma il 23 ottobre 2014) su tale tema allo scopo di favorire uno scambio di opinioni tra imprenditori, categorie imprenditoriali e studiosi. Si \ue8 analizzato come il settore metalmeccanico abbia contribuito al cambiamento della specializzazione produttiva dell\u2019Italia, orientandola sui comparti pi\uf9 innovativi e a pi\uf9 alto valore aggiunto e dando un rilevante apporto al saldo attivo della bilancia commerciale con l\u2019estero. L\u2019Italia \ue8 oggi il terzo Paese al mondo per avanzo commerciale nella meccanica non elettronica e dimostra quindi una capacit\ue0 innovativa che spesso non viene apprezzata in quanto non conosciuta. Il successo sin qui ottenuto non d\ue0 garanzie che sar\ue0 cos\uec anche in futuro, ma richiede una riflessione su come il settore e le politiche industriali possano determinare un\u2019ulteriore evoluzione. Tra le molte filiere di rafforzamento si pongono anche le collaborazioni tra pubblico e privato per le iniziative di ricerca e di brevettazione all\u2019insegna di quella tecno-scienza che la collaborazione tra Fondazione Edison e Lincei da anni propugnano.Italy\u2019s metal-working and mechanical engineering industry, ranging from metals production to mechatronics, plays a fundamental role in the country\u2019s manufacturing profile. On October 23, 2014 Fondazione Edison and the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei (Lincean Academy) sponsored a conference in Rome to provide a forum for entrepreneurs, trade associations and scholars to discuss this topic. The conference focused on how the metal-working and mechanical engineering industry has contributed to the evolution of Italy\u2019s manufacturing specialization, orienting it toward more innovative and higher value-added branches and making a significant positive contribution to the country\u2019s foreign trade balance. Italy currently has the third largest trade surplus in the world for non-electronic mechanical engineering products, demonstrating a relatively unknown and unappreciated capacity to innovate. The industry\u2019s success to date is no guarantee that it will continue in the future. Forward-thinking is required in terms of how the industry and industrial policy can continue to evolve. The proposed measures to strengthen the industry include public-private partnerships in research and the patent process, an aspect of technical-scientific cooperation that Fondazione Edison and the Lincean Academy have been jointly promoting for years